Backcountry Hiking & Gear
The trailhead is just the beginning.
Ten years of backcountry miles, distilled into the gear that actually holds up and the routes worth the effort to reach.
6,000+
backcountry miles
10 yrs
guiding experience
200+
gear reviews
Recent Guides
The Ten-Essentials List, Actually Updated
What’s outdated, what’s not.
How to Choose a Backpack That Fits
Torso length, not price.
This Season's Standout Gear
Tested, not sponsored.
I quit a desk job to guide backcountry trips, and I’ve been testing gear in the field ever since — not in a lab, not for a sponsor. If I recommend it, I’ve carried it for at least a hundred miles.
What Readers Say
“Casper’s gear reviews are the only ones I trust.”
— Jonas R.
“He talked me out of a $400 mistake.”
— Grace H.
“The most honest trail guides I’ve found.”
— Devon P.
From the Trail
A ridge line at sunrise
Gear laid out for testing
A river crossing, mid-trip
Basecamp at 10,000 feet
Planning a Backcountry Trip?
I offer a small number of route-planning consults each season.
The Trail Brief
One route, one gear review, every other week.